Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Crown seeks a minimum of 20 years in McColeman sentencing:
Paul McColeman will be designated a Long-Term Offender for 10 years. On Day 1 of the sentencing hearing, the Crown revealed it is seeking a minimum 20-year jail sentence. The Crown also wants McColeman to submit a DNA sample, to be listed on the Sex Offenders Registry for life, a lifetime ban on weapons, community supervision and no contact with the victims while he is in custody. They are also seeking delayed parole eligibility at one half of his sentence or no sooner than 10 years, whichever comes sooner. Currently, McColeman is technically eligible to apply for parole after serving one-third of his sentence. Find the full story here.
Updated: Sudbury woman reported missing in U.K. has been located:
Michelle Pelletier has been found, according to a British website and a post on her GoFundMe page. "Michelle has been found safe," the post reads. "Word from her sister Pam: 'I have been in contact with my sister. She is in a hospital in England and is safe. Now we are working on bringing her home. 'My mom and aunt will be traveling to England in order to bring her home safely. I can’t say thank you enough for all the prayers and support. I will continue to try to answer everyone as I can. Love you all so much and I don’t have the words for how thankful I am.'"
No uniforms allowed for police at Sudbury Pride Parade:
Greater Sudbury Police have come to an agreement with organizers of Sudbury's Pride Parade that will allow officers to take part in the event as long as they don't wear uniforms. Describing it as a “mutual decision,” Fierté Sudbury Pride and the Greater Sudbury Police Service issued a news release saying the only exception will be police conducting traffic during the event. “Having a Pride Week here in Greater Sudbury holds great importance for our LGBTQ2S+ community and for many of our allies,” the news release from police said. “Pride Week is an opportunity to connect, express freely, and most importantly, to learn. Pride Week is also an opportunity to advocate for those who cannot show their own pride due to the fear of persecution. The release quotes Aedan Charest, past co-chair of Fierté Sudbury Pride, as saying the decision allows marginalized members of the community to “come out and reclaim their spaces without the influence of uniformed police presence, which for many, have been a major factor in their oppression.
Wanted Wednesday: Eric St. Michel wanted for break-ins, theft:
Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of Eric St. Michel, who is wanted for several break-ins this spring. St. Michel is accused of breaking into several properties in Greater Sudbury's core between March 20 and May 30, causing damage and stealing money. He is wanted for three counts of break and enter, four counts of theft under $5,000, four counts of mischief under $5,000, break and enter with intent to commit and indictable offence and breach of recognizance. St. Michel is described as 6-1, 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. If you have information about St. Michel or his whereabouts, you are urged to call the Crime Stoppers tip line toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or locally at 705-222-TIPS.
SIU: 'No reasonable grounds' to charge OPP officer after Markstay-Warren incident:
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a Sudbury OPP officer. The investigation was related to the serious injuries sustained by a 55-year-old man in Markstay-Warren in May 2017 when his vehicle crashed into a ditch. According to a report issued by SIU director Tony Lorparco, OPP officers were conducting RIDE checks in the community when the incident occurred. After speaking with the officers and being directed to pull over to the side of the road in order to provide a breath sample, the complainant panicked and fled the scene, the report said. The complainant drove his motor vehicle away from the officers at a high rate of speed for approximately 250 to 500 metres, before he crashed his vehicle. He sustained serious spinal damage, including a burst fracture of the T10 vertebral body.
Tractor-trailer driver charged after single-vehicle collision that closed Hwy. 144:
Highway 144 was closed in both directions for four hours Tuesday morning due to a single-vehicle tractor trailer collision at Low Water Lake. The driver was charged with unsafe move — lane or shoulder and driving a commercial motor vehicle with in improper licence.
Fighting for veterans: War left her spouse with PTSD and she says the gov't left her with little support:
Jenny Migneault is on a mission to educate and advocate for Canadian veterans and their families. The Trois-Rivières resident made a stop in Sudbury on June 24 and 25 as part of her tour that spans from Northern Ontario to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. During her tour, Migneault will be speaking to the families of Canadian Forces veterans, and helping them better understand the realities of caring for someone suffering from PTSD. Migneault is the spouse of a veteran living with PTSD and has been battling since 2014 to help military veterans and their families understand the challenges that they may face. The challenges faced by caregivers are numerous, and Migneault says that the people charged with looking after their spouse or loved one who is suffering with the effects of PTSD are promised loads of support by the government, but the reality is that accessing those supports has become increasingly more difficult. More on this story here.
Starbucks plans to open drive thru outlet in Sudbury:
Greater Sudbury could be getting a new Starbucks drive thru. Greater Sudbury's planning department has received an application from Starbucks for approval of a drive thru restaurant at 555 Barrydowne Rd. in New Sudbury. When contacted by Sudbury.com, no one at Starbucks media centre would comment on the plan, so the date for construction and eventual opening is still unknown. Starbucks currently operates a store inside Chapters on the Kingsway and one at Laurentian University in Sudbury. It's believed the Barrydowne location will be primarily a drive thru location.
Thursday Weather:
Sunny skies to start the day, turning to a mix of sun and cloud by afternoon. There's a 30 per cent chance of rain today and a high of 28. Partly cloudy heading into the evening with some chances of showers. Evening low will be 17. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
